IMHO this world belongs to those who take the initiatives. An average leader mistakes taking the initiatives for simply attack before the other side, while an excellent one take the initiatives by thinking ahead of the other side and try make things happen unnoticably by subtle influences.
imo, leadership stems from one quality: resolution. one who is resolved about his path in life has no thoughts of self doubt. such men are easy and natural to follow. such men have no need to publically announce their qualities repeatedly. such men do not suffer procrastination, nor indecision. they proceed headlong toward their goals. even when their goals seem unattainable, they proceed straightly, with insanity and desperation. men of this disposition accomplish things that the normal person deems impossible; and are often seen as "great" because of it. in truth, their greatness lies in their resolution to walk the path without concern for failure, for the only way failure would be achieved would be by not walking the path. coming up short of achievement while going headlong is, in fact, success. below are some quotes referencing this subject matter... *********** "When the time comes, there is no moment for reasoning. And if you have not done your inquiring beforehand , there is most often shame. Reading books and listening to people's talk are for the purpose of prior resolution. Above all, the Way of the Samurai should be in being aware that you do not know what is going to happen next, and in querying every item day and night. Victory and defeat are matters of the temporary force of circumstances. The way of avoiding shame is different. It is simply in death. Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams." *********** "...there is one transcending level, and this is the most excellent of all. This person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. He truly knows his own insufficiencies and never in his whole life thinks that he has succeeded. He has no thoughts of pride but with self-abasement knows the Way to the end. It is said that Master Yagyu once remarked, 'I do not know the way to defeat others, but the way to defeat myself.' Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending."
